Top Pentagon officials now believe some of Iraq's most-wanted leaders are hiding in Syria.

Defense officials say some of the Iraqi officials on the list of 55 most-wanted issued by U.S. military authorities are in Syria.

They do not say which have sought sanctuary there but indicate to reporters the fugitives do not include ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein or his sons.

The officials' comments came after America's top general warned Syria to stop harboring Iraqi fugitives. General Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was speaking at a meeting with Pentagon employees.

"We know Syria is harboring some of the senior regime leadership, at least their families, probably some of the senior members, we know that," he said.

General Myers went on to says such behavior has to stop. But he said in response to a question that it was far too early to talk about military action against Syria.